Android finds niche in TV set-top box

Phone OS also turning up in new consumer goods this year

Google's much-hyped Android phone operating system might not have taken the world by storm yet, but a development from Japan shows it could have opportunities in some unexpected places.

That country's second largest mobile phone operator, KDDI, has announced that the new version of its TV set-top box known as the 'au Box' will run on Android.

One box fits all

The Motorola-built device is designed to record content from various sources, including TV broadcasts, DVDs and CDs, and format it for playback on its handsets. It can be rented for just ¥315 (£2) a month.

Surprisingly, the group claims that unspecified manufacturers are set to unveil Android-powered TV sets and VoIP phones. We'll keep you posted.

Update: Looks like the au Box isn't Android-powered after all. The mistake came from a misunderstanding at the Open Embedded Software Foundation, but the other Android gear will come later this year. JML